A POSTCARD in a newsagent’s window appealing for an egg donor may hold the key to a couple’s desperate battle to become parents.

The card, nestled between others advertising rooms to let and guitar lessons, is a last-ditch attempt by the couple to fulfil their dream.

Hope*, 53, a librarian, and her 47-year-old husband Robert*, a computer programmer, have been trying for a baby since marrying 13 years ago.

Since then they have spent £16,000 on IVF treatment and medical procedures – all without success.

Initial unsuccessful attempts to conceive led to a laparoscopy performed on Hope at Maidstone Hospital. This revealed her right ovarian tube was blocked by scar tissue from a fibroid removal in 1998 – reducing their chances of conceiving naturally by half.

Hormone medication failed to work. Between December 1996 and July 1997 they started IVF treatment, but two attempts failed. In 2001 they decided to look into adoption.

Hope said: “The application form asked us to confirm we had given up all hope of having a baby of our own. We had discussed egg donation. I didn’t want to reach the end of my life and regret we had not tried that one last thing, so I could not answer “yes” to the question.”

In 2004, the couple visited the London Fertility Centre to start egg donation, but were dealt a blow when they were told another fibroid had been found, which was removed.

The couple were given an appointment at the Logan Centre for Assisted Reproduction in London. The centre, which has a clinic in Kings Hill, treats women up to 55, but they decided to try and recruit a donor as there is a three-year waiting list.

Hope said: “We know that time is running out for us now and this is probably our last chance.

The donor would not be paid for donating her eggs, but her expenses would be paid. It’s a big commitment but it would only take a month.”

*Not their real names.

* If you would like to help, call the Logan Centre on 0800 389 9147, quoting patient number 19516.

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